DALLAS, Texas – It was a fight to the finish at the SMU Classic on Saturday. The Auburn men narrowly missed a victory, finishing second by one point behind Louisville. Meanwhile, the Women dialed up solid swims to finish third overall.
FINAL SCORES
MEN
Louisville – 313
Auburn – 312
USC – 305
Texas – 270
Missouri – 234
SMU – 227
WOMEN
USC – 245
Louisville – 334
Auburn – 289
Missouri – 242
SMU – 217
Miami - 205
MEN
Relays paved the pay for the Tigers all day long on the Men's side. Nate Stoffle, Henry Bethel, Aidan Stoffle and Kalle Makinen kicked off the morning session with a 1:24.49 and a win in the 200 medley relay.
Mason Mathias was the long-distance king last season and he picked up where he left off in the 500 free on Saturday. His 4:19.05 was good enough for second place.
Captain Aidan Stoffle proved worthy of his title in the 200 back. Stoffle produced a 1:43.37 to edge out everyone and claim the victory. Brother Nate Stoffle would take the B final with a 1:42.79.
When it came to diving, Whit Andrus gave a performance that earned a 315.20 for fourth place.
Makinen was back on the podium in the 100 free. His 43.37 was good enough for third on the afternoon.
Mason Mathias and Danny Schmidt carried the load in the Men's 200 fly. Mathias turned in a 1:46.06 to grab third in the A final while Schmidt finished second in the B final with a 1:46.34.
There was no stopping Nate Stoffle, Kalle Makinen, Benjamin Chateigner and Aidan Stoffle in the 200 free relay. A 1:18.56 was a meet record, won the race and nearly was enough to topple Louisville in the two-day event.
WOMEN
Ellie Waldrep, Anastasia Makarova, Meghan Lee and Lexie Mulvihill got things started on the Women's side with solid performance in the 200 medley relay. A 1:38.48 was good enough for third place and started the morning session off on the right foot.
Averee Preble found an extra gear in the 500 free on Saturday. Her 4:48.15 led the way for the Tigers and clocked in at second place.
Makarova was back in the 200 breast with another sturdy swim. Her 2:13.56 was the third-fastest of the day.
Backstroke U was alive and well in Dallas as Meghan Lee dialed up a 1:56.39 in the 200 back to finish second in the A final. Kensley Merrit would also win the B final with a 1:55.73 to pick up an important haul of points.
Lee was back on the podium in the 200 fly after swimming 1:58.20. The time was third overall in the A final.
In the diving well, Ashlynn Sullivan conjured a 263.80 on the 1-meter, good enough for second place.
In the 100 free, Nevmovenko led Auburn at 49.30, the fourth-fastest time of the A final.
No one loves the 200 IM more than Hannah Ownbey. The senior hit the wall at 2:00.32 for third overall.
At the end of a long two days of swimming, Ryan Wochomurka's crew secured a solid third-place finish with 289 points.